HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 06.22.1998'h*#f{Rufu,.4zcup,k o
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PROJECT IIYFORMATION A}[D STAFF COMMENTS
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6t22198BOCC
APPLICAITIT:
Special Use Permit for an 22"atd24"
high pressure natural gas pipeline.
TransColorado Gas Transmission Co.
Located inthe Roan Plateau area north
of DeBeque, and extending from the
Rio Blanco County Line south to the
Mesa County Line.
Existing private and Public roads
Resourcellands (R/L)EXISTING AND ADJACENT ZOMNG:
RELATIONSHIP TO THE COMPREIIENSTVE PLAN
The subject right-of-way is located in District C - Rural Areas with Minor Environmental
Constraints; District D - Rural Areas/lVloderate Environmental Constraints; District E, Rural
Areas/ Severe-Moderate Environmental Constraints and District F - Rural Areas/Severe
Environmental Constraints as designated on the 1984 Garfield Cotrnty Comprehensive
Management District's maP.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSAL
A. Site and Project Description: TransColorado Gas Transmission Company is
requesting a SUP for the construction, operation and maintenance of a 22-inch and
Z4-in6n, high pr".r*e natural gas line, connecting underutilized supplies in the
piceance Basinto consumers in the Califomia and Midwestem Markets. The line is
designed to carry 300 million cubic feet per day of natual gas. Construction is
projected to begin and end during the summer of 1998'
The proposed pipeline begins in Rio Blanco County and goes south through the Roan
plateau, on the east side of Clear Creek. It then comes down to the valley floor near
Gilman Gulch and into Castle Canyon. The lines continues south along Castle
Canyon to Roan Creek valley, where it continues south into Mesa County. Of the
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total of 26.6 miles of pipeline in Garfield County, 6.3 miles crosses public lands and
the remainin g20.3 miles crosses private land holdings'
MAJOR ISSIIES AND CONCERNS
1. Easements. The applicant has not finalized easement agreements with private
property owners, but has included consent forms for the application to be made by
ihe-applicants. Staff would suggest a condition of approval that would require all
copies of easement agreements be frled with the County prior to construction.
It should be noted that the project has been certified by the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission and has the right of eminent domain of Section 7(h) of the
Narural Gas Act (NGA) of 1938, to obtain right-of-way. At this poin1, itjs unknown
to staff, whether or not condemnation action will be needed to acquire ROW'
2. Road Crossings. The only County Road impacted by the proposed pipeline is CR
204. fne tZ+OO0 scale mapping submitted with the application makes specific
crossing identification difficuit, although the application cites the need to obtain the
necessary permits from the County. It will be necessary to obtain a road cut permit
from the Road and Bridge. Additionally, the applicants have acknowledged the
responsibilrty for *y rouJ damage done by their contractors during the construction
of itre pipeline. Staffwould suggest that the applicant meet with King Lloyd prior
to construction to veriff crossing locations and road conditions.
3. Water Resources. Water will be used to hydrostatically test the pipeline will come
from local ,t *rrrr or rivers. All water will be purchased from the appropriate entity.
Dust abatement will also require minimal amount of water. No water is required to
operate the facilitY.
4. Noise. Dust Glare Impacts. No long-term impacts from generation of vapor, dust,
smoke, ,oir., .ribrutil, o. glare are expected. Some short-term impacts during
construction are inevitable.
5. Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat Impacts. The proposed ROW construction disturbance
would decrease less than one percent of the surrounding key game ranges' No
regional population declines of *y species are projected to occur as a result of the
construction activities.
6. Adjacent Property Impacts: Only one property owner has expressed any reservations
about tfr" pilpor.'-.a pipeline. This was a verbal conversation, there has been no
further communication from this individual'
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IV.
v.
j. Revegetation. Revegetation of private and public land will be consistent with
individual agreements with individual property owners. In general, the right-of-way
will be re-contoured, cleaned up and revegetated. The plan for prime agricultural
lands is to make sure that the property is restored to preconstruction condition within
one season
SUGGESTED FINDINGS
1. That proper publication and public notice was provided as required by law for the
hearing before the Board of County Commissioners'
Z. That the hearing before the Board of County Commissioners was extensive and
complete, that all pertinent facts, matters and issues were submified and that all
interested parties were heard at the hearing.
3. That the application is in compliance with the Garfield Cotrnty ZontngResolution
of 1978, as amended.
4. For the above stated and other reasons, the proposed use is in the best interest of the
health, safety, morals, convenience, order, prosperity and welfare of the citizens of
Garfield County.
RECOMMENDATION
APPROVAL, subject to the following conditions:
l. All proposals of the applicant shall be considered conditions of approval rinless
stated otherwise by the Board of County Commissioners'
2. The applicant shall have 120 days from the date of the Resolution of Conditional
approval to meet all conditions set forth in the Resolution. The Special Use Permit
shall be issued when all conditions are met and shall expire i20 days after issuance,
trnless construction or use have commenced.
3. All revegetation shall be in accordance with the revegetation agreements approved
by each property owner. All revegetation shall be conducted with certified weed-free
seed. TransColorado Gas Transmission Company shall be responsible for weed
control in accordance with State and County regulations'
4. prior to construction, the applicant shall obtain approval of the proposed crossings
of Corurty Roads from the Garfield County Road and Bridge Supervisor, including
appropriate notification of the public of necessary closing dates and times.
eaaitLnatty, a preconstruction survey of road conditions will be developed with the
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6.
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Prior to isiuance of a final SUP, the applicant shall submit evidence that all necessary
easements have been obtained.
All vehicles and equipment used by the applicant and subcontractors are required to
be licensed by the Cotrnty Clerk & Recorder.
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